AOC tells Democratic colleagues she’s working for prime job on Oversight Committee

WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Friday formally launched her bid to change into the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, pitting the millennial progressive star towards a extra senior panel member, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., as Democrats gear up for a second Trump administration.

In a letter to Democratic colleagues, Ocasio-Cortez wrote that she understood the gravity of main the panel within the subsequent Congress with Trump again within the White Home. The committee, she mentioned, should give attention to each congressional oversight and enhancing life for on a regular basis People.

“Within the 119th Congress, Oversight Committee Democrats will face an essential process: we should stability our give attention to the incoming president’s corrosive actions and corruption with a tangible combat to make life simpler for America’s working class,” Ocasio-Cortez informed her Democratic colleagues, who will quickly vote on who ought to lead committees for the social gathering whereas the Home is beneath Republican management within the new 119th Congress.

Her announcement got here after NBC Information reported Thursday night time that Ocasio-Cortez — who goes by the nickname AOC — had begun informing Home colleagues that she was working to be the highest Democrat on the influential Oversight Committee, in keeping with three Democratic lawmakers who mentioned they’d had conversations along with her.

Ocasio-Cortez informed not less than two of these lawmakers throughout votes on the Home flooring Thursday night that she is throwing her hat within the ring to guide Democrats on the committee. A 3rd Democratic lawmaker mentioned they have been informed by Ocasio-Cortez, 35, this week that she was positively working.

A fourth Democrat and fellow New Yorker, Rep. Yvette Clarke, informed NBC Information on Friday morning that Ocasio-Cortez personally requested for her endorsement earlier this week. Clarke, the incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, mentioned she’ll maintain off on saying any public help till after a CBC candidates discussion board subsequent week.

“She has to make her case,” Clarke mentioned. “Members have relationships, and people are constructed over time.”

The daring transfer by Ocasio-Cortez, 35, units up a conflict with Connolly, 74, presently the fourth most senior committee Democrat, who introduced earlier this week he was working for the highest job. The competition will function a gauge of whether or not the Democratic caucus nonetheless values seniority or actually desires generational change.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a fellow progressive chief who serves with Ocasio-Cortez on the committee, declined to debate their non-public conversations however endorsed her for the job. 

“AOC could be very collaborative on the committee and helps elevate up all members,” Khanna mentioned in a quick interview Thursday. “She has been so passionate concerning the work of this committee for 2 years as vice chair, and we want progressives transferring into management in our Congress and nation to enact a working-class agenda. I’m all in for her.”

The Oversight Committee can be essential for Democrats as they attempt to fight the incoming Trump administration and journey herd on the president-elect and his allies, who’ve vowed to take retribution on enemies and flout different political norms in Washington. If Democrats win again management of the Home within the 2026 midterms, the brand new Oversight chairperson would have broad energy to subpoena and examine the Trump administration.

The submit opened up after Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., 61, who held the job this Congress, mounted an rebel problem to Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., 77, the highest Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. With Raskin surging, Nadler dropped out of the Judiciary race and endorsed Raskin, all however guaranteeing him the position.

Prime aides to Ocasio-Cortez didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. However Ocasio-Cortez gave the impression to be leaning right into a bid for the Oversight job Wednesday.

“I’m actually within the place. I’m having a number of conversations with my colleagues,” she mentioned. “And, you realize, I feel it’s extremely essential that we put together ourselves absolutely for an incoming Trump administration, in addition to combating for on a regular basis working People.”

She added that she has nothing however “super respect and admiration for Gerry Connolly.”

“He’s simply a completely incredible chief, and I feel we each convey property to the committee, which is an enormous a part of why the committee’s been efficient. I like Gerry,” she mentioned.

Connolly informed reporters Wednesday {that a} potential race towards Ocasio-Cortez would current a stark selection for Democratic colleagues: He mentioned he has far more expertise. He was first elected to Congress in 2008; she achieved political fame by knocking off Joe Crowley, of New York, then the Democratic caucus chairman in a major in 2018.

However Connolly is also coping with well being points. Shortly after final month’s election, he introduced that he had been identified with most cancers of the esophagus.

“To me it isn’t generational. It is about expertise and file and functionality, and that is how I’ve bought to current it,” Connolly informed reporters Wednesday. “And he or she’s a brand new expertise and has a number of promise, however I am the one one within the race … who, in truth, has [led] a subcommittee. I feel that is actually essential.”

The Democratic Steering and Coverage Committee, which is intently aligned with Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is planning to make suggestions for committee leaders later this month. After that, all 215 Home Democrats who will serve within the new Congress will vote on who they need as their committee leaders for the 119th Congress.